Unique Bedales curriculum sits alongside GCSEs

Bedales students are celebrating after the publication of GCSE and Bedales Assessed Course (BAC) results. Eight students achieved a clean sweep of at least nine grades 9/8 (equivalent to A*), and a further 13 students achieved at least nine grades 9-7 (equivalent to A*-A); of these students, 12 attended Bedales Prep prior to progressing to Bedales Senior. As a cohort, the grades are very much in line with their predecessors in 2019, demonstrating how they have bounced back in the face of considerable challenges over the past two years. 

Bedales’ unique curriculum means that students take a combination of the school’s own BACs combined with I/GCSEs in five core subjects. Introduced in 2006, BACs are well established, and involve a broader range of content, choice and assessment methods than the traditional GCSE, enabling students to pursue their interests and talents. BACs benefit from annual external validation by experienced moderators and are recognised as a qualification by universities.  

Will Goldsmith, Head of Bedales, commented: “After a difficult start to their BAC/GCSE courses, the students have really risen to the challenge this summer. I’m delighted to see how, for so many of them, the extra work and effort they put in during the run-up to the exams and end of course assessments has paid off. They should be rightly proud of their achievement and how it sets them up for success in their learning at Sixth Form.” 

Bedales students in Block 4 (Year 10) can choose from the following BAC options: Ancient Civilisations; Art; Dance; Design (Product or Fashion); Digital Game Design; English Literature; Geography; Global Awareness; History; Music; Philosophy, Religion & Ethics; Outdoor Work; Sports Science and Theatre Studies.  

Bedales is looking seriously into reducing the number of GCSEs further, bringing more subjects into the BACs. Currently, the school retains a core of five IGCSE/GCSEs in English Language, Mathematics, Double or Triple Science and a Modern Foreign Language, while also offering BACs as an alternative to GCSE for increased depth, more active learning and stimulating material, less prescriptive syllabuses and a wider range of assessments including group and individual projects, presentations, essays and portfolios in addition to written examinations.  

Photo: Bedales Assessed Course Theatre Studies Devised Performance

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